Arch support for shoes



June 29, 1937. J. E. LUDLAM ARCH SUPPORT FOR SHOES Filed Nov. 14, 1934 4Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

@imeszladlam ATTORNEY June 29, 1937. .1. E. LUDLAM 2,085,374

ARCH SUPPORT FOR SHOES Filed Nov. 14, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

6 climaaj? l M Z0120,

BY 6 W ATTORNEY, I

June 29, 1937. J. E. LUDLAM ARCH SUPPORT FOR SHOES Filed Nov. 14, 1954 4Sheets-Sheet 4 LIE-1 E JNVENTOR.

BY & w ATiORNEY I Patented June 29, 1937 Zgtiili PAT T ENE 16 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to shoes and more particularly to aconstruction of arch support for shoes.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a construction of archsupport for shoes in which both the inner and outer longitudinal archesof the foot are flexibly supported.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simplified constructionof arch support for shoes comprising a rigid member and flexible membersfor supporting both the inner and outer longitudinal arches of the foot.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction ofarch support which may be either built into a shoe or inserted into theshoe as an additional member.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction of archsupport which includes a rigid member having a bridge portion oif centerwith respect to the foot and a pair of spring portions operating tosupport both the inner and outer longitudinal arches wherein the springportions have predetermined yieldable characteristics to insure adequatesupport for all portions of the foot from heel to ball.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a construction ofarch support shaped to a modified form of last for providing a widerinner and outer sole in the shank portion of the shoe within whichseparate resilient portions of the arch support operate to provide abroad support for the bones of the inner and outer arches of the foot.

Another object of my invention is to provide a special arrangement ofbalanced last and arch support for shoes in which the contour of thelast, modified to accommodate a relatively wide arch support by whichthe calcaneus, astragalus, scaphoid, internal, middle, and externalcuneiform bones, the cuboid and all of the metatarsal bones, and alsonumerous tendons, ligaments and muscles, may be firmly supported.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the construction ofbalanced arch support for shoes as set forth more fully in thespecification hereinafter following by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevation partially in section of a shoe providedwith my improved arch support; Fig. 2 is a top plan thereof, with thearch support shown in full lines and the bones of the foot shown indotted lines whereas the shoe itself is indicated by a dash and dottedline; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the arch support per se on anenlarged scale; Fig. 4. is a perspective view thereof; Fig. 5 is asimilar view showing the component parts of the improved arch support;Fig. 6 is a side elevation thereof; Figs. '7, 8, and 9 are longitudinalsectional views taken on correspondingly numbered lines indicated onFig. 3; Fig.

10 is a transverse, vertical section taken on line lll-lfl of Fig. 3;Fig. 11 is a transverse vertical section taken on iine H-ll of Fig. 1;Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a modified form of my improved archsupport; Fig. 13 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 14 is a transversevertical section taken on line M-M of Fig. 12; Fig. 15 is a plan viewshowing still another form of my improved arch support; Fig. 16 is aside elevation thereof; Fig. 1'7 is a central vertical longitudinalsection taken on line l'l'l'l of Fig. 15; Fig. 18 is a transversevertical section on line Iii-I8 of Fig. 15; Figs. 19 and 20 are planviews respectively showing the normal and improved outline of the soleused for a mans and womans shoe respectively; Fig. 21 is a theoreticalview of the balanced position of the foot attained by the use of myimproved last and arch support; Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a lastprovided with the improved insole, parts of the chamfered rib on whichare stitched the welt and upper, cut away to provide an appropriatespace for the reception of my improved arch support; Fig. 23 is asectional perspective view of a portion of the insole used in connectionwith my improved arch support; and Figs. 24., 25, 26, and 27 arecross-sectional views of fragmentary parts of the resilient springmember at the connection thereof with the calcaneus supporting portion.

The arch support of my invention comprises a relatively rigid spanextending longitudinally at an off center position of the foot. The oficenter span has end portions formed either integrally therewith orjoined to the end portions of the span, which end portions extendlaterally of both sides of the off center span. The forward portion hasone side extending farther than the other side beyond the off centerspan, said forward portion supporting the entire width of the foot forsupporting the five metatarsal bones and being raised near the centralpart of said fore end portion to conform to the contour of the foot inthe rear of the metatarsal phalangeal joints.

For purposes of explaining my invention, I have hereinafter called theforwardly positioned laterally extending portion of the arch support themetatarsal supporting portion. I have hereinafter called the rearwardlypositioned laterally extending portion the calcaneus supporting portion.The laterally extending metatarsal and calcaneus supporting portionsextend difierent distances from the oil center span. I attach twoseparate springs to the metatarsal and calcaneus supporting portions,one for supporting the inner longitudinal arch of the foot and the otherfor supporting the outer longitudinal arch of the foot. The bones of therespective arches supported by the device of my invention are thecalcaneus, astragalus, scaphoid, internal, middle, and externalcuneiform, cuboid and metatarsals.

' springs are The springs are positioned on longitudinal axes whichextend at an angle to each other, the spring for supporting the innerarch being spaced farther from the center span than the spring forsupporting the outer arch. Both springs are riveted at their forwardends adjacent the opposite edges of the metatarsal supporting portion. Iprovide a single spring for supporting the outer longitudinal arch. Iprovide a double spring to support the inner longitudinal arch. Bothsprings are constituted by strips of tempered steel. The double springcomprises strips which are disposed one above the other. The

provided with rivet members adjacent their rear ends which extendthrough slots in the calcaneus supporting portion and allow the springsto yield under the load of the outer and inner longitudinal archeswithin limits determined by the length'of the slots in the calcaneusportion. The slots permit limited yielding action of the springs. Thearrangement of the double spring beneath the inner longitudinal archproduces a firm yet resilient support for exercising the muscles of theinner longitudinal arch of the foot. Similarly, the yieldable springunder the outer longitudinal arch serves to impart a massaging action tothe muscles of the outer longitudinal arch. In one form of my invention,the center span is integral 'with the metatarsal and calcaneussupporting portions so that the arch is formed by providing a cutawayportion on each side of the off center Span. The springs are mounted oneither side of the off center span adjacent the opposite edges of thelateral end portions.

The arrangement of the double spring and single spring for supportingthe inner and outer longitudinal arches is such that a firm support isimparted to all of the bones and members of the foot from heel to ball.When the bone structure of the foot weakens and lowers, the foot invertsand lowers at the inner side. If given the proper support, the bonestructure can be realigned. It has been found that shoes containing myarch support have gradually raised the respective arches of the footwith extraordinary comfort to the wearer. I explain as follows, one ofthe methods employed.

The internal twin spring can be made to operate with respect to apredetermined slot length inthe calcaneus supporting portion to allowfor a certain degree of lowering under body weight. By making theinternal spring higher than the last towhich it is to be fitted'andforcing the complete arch support to the insole, the internal springyields to a lower degree absorbing the allowance made by thepredetermined slot lengths. When the outer sole is sewed to the shoe,said spring is firmly held in operative position. As the shoe continuesto be worn and the inner and outer soles loosen, the internal springreleases and gradually rises to its original height.

' The wearentherefore, has been receiving a gentle, resilient support,the muscles have been strengthening and the bone structure continual-.ly rising. My arch support when. arranged in this manner continues torise, under the inner longitudinal arch of the foot until it has reacheda higher normal position. The bones and muscles of the feet, from heelto ball, lower whenthe weight of the body is placed on them and riseagain to their original position, with each step. This action provesthat the proper arch support should yield under weight if the arches andmuscles of the foot are to function cooperatively with the arch supportto their best advantage for permanently maintaining foot health. Thearchof my invention yields at either side of the foot independently or inunison, action for each individual or both longitudinal arches, therebycooperating in a scientific manner to fulfill the natural functioning offoot movement. The forward or metatarsal portion of my arch supportstarts to widen forward of t-.e transverse arch continuing from thecenter span and extends laterally on both sides for supporting the fivemetatarsal bones of the foot,

-more extension being made at the inner side than the outer side of thespan. While the extreme forepart of the arch support is curved toconform to the natural shape of the foot and last in rear of themetatarsal-phalangeal joints, the central portion of said forwardportion is raised to more eifectively support the portion of the footbetween the transverse arch and the metatarsal-phalangeal joints.

I have found that greater foot comfort may be obtained by associatingthe arch support with relation to a special design of shoe and balancedlast. By harmoniously and scientifically combining the design of thebalanced last, the design of the arch support and the special design ofshoe, I have found that the greatest comfort can be imparted to thefoot. I have made many models of lasts in finallyarriving at thebalanced last which I employ inassooiation with the arch support of myinvention, and I have found as a result of experimental determinationthat the design of last of my invention employed in association with thearch support of my invention and design of shoe insures a. high degreeof comfort to the foot. I have found it necessary to so design the lastthat the weight of the body bearing at the heel portion of the foot maybe lowered to a position of greater equilibrium. This modification oflast structure provides a greater support to the foot, especiallybeneath the rear central portion and the internal arch. The last iswidened at the outerside to provide extra space for the cuboid and fifthmetatarsal bone.

In designing the higher heel lasts for women, the baseof the heel islowered in different amounts to correspond to the height of heel,bringing the heel nearer to a horizontal plane. This change of laststructure produces aslightly higher arch and lowered heel, bringing moreweight bearing at the arch of the foot and heel thereby reducing weightat the ball. It is here that the arch support of my invention withsprings under the innerand outer-sides of the foot is so' important, dueto the fact that not only one side of the arch support must yield, butboth sides must yield to allow the central portion of the foot to lowerwhen weight is placed on the foot. This change in last balanceautomatically changes the weight distribution by decreasing thepressureat the metatarsal-phalangeal portion of the foot and providing a springa shifting more of the load to the central and rear calcaneus supportingportion with members interconnecting the said supporting portions, eachof which have inherent resiliency. The members are constituted by stripswhich are anchored at their forward ends adjacent the edges of themetatarsal supporting portion and which are slidably connected through apin and slot connection adjacent opposite edges of the calcaneus stripsconstituting one of the members which bridge the cutaway portion of thearch support, I secure that degree of yieldability required for properlysupporting the inner arch and I overcome in large measure, breakage dueto rust and brought about by deterioration and the use of a singlespring.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, reference character Idesignates a shoe which encloses the foot which I have represented byillustrating the disposition of the several bones of the foot. Referencecharacter 2 designates the calcaneus, 3 the astragalus, 5 the scaphoid,6 the internal cuneiform, l the metatarsal, and 8 one of the phalanxbones. There are also various ten-dons and muscles which must besupported by the arch support. The insole of the shoe I is shown at 9 insuperimposed relation with respect to the outersole Ill.

The arch support is illustrated at l l and in the arrangement shown inFig. 1, the arch support is built in as an integral part of the shoe. Itis understood, however, that the arch support may be applied as aninsert in the shoe. Ifhe arch support shown in Figs. 1-11 includes acentral span H having therein a longitudinally extending strengtheningrib l2. It will be seen. that the central span H is oif center withrespect to the center line of the foot, that is, the span II is nearerthe outer longitudinal arch of the foot. The arch support terminates atopposite ends in the metatarsal supporting portion [4 and in thecalcaneus supporting portion, l5, respectively. The calcaneus supportingportion [5 is recessed, as indicated at It making it possible to employthe arch support of my invention in shoes which are built by connectingmeans such as screws extending through the heel of the shoe. tures I!are provided in the calcaneus supporting portion 15 for securing thearch to the insole. Apertures 58! are provided in the metatarsalsupporting portion I 4 for securing the metatarsal supporting portion I4 in position.

The spring support for the inner longitudinal archis representedgenerally at I9. The spring support for the outer longitudinal arch isshown generally at IS. The spring support l9 comprises two spring steel,tempered elements each supby the metatarsal and calcaneus supportingpor- The tension of spring supports l8 and i9 is substantiallydifferent. That is, spring support F8 for the outer longitudinal arch isconstituted by a single spring elementand is normally lower than thespring support [9 for the inner longitudinal arch. Reference character22 designates the upper spring element of spring support l9 which isadjacent to the lower spring element 23 of spring support I9. Thecalcaneus supporting portion I5 is provided with a slot at 24 and themetatarsal supporting portion [4 is apertured at 25 to receive rivetmember 26 which passes through aperture 20a in strip 20 of outerlongitudinal arch support IB. A rivet 2| extends through an aperture 20bin strip 20 and through slot 24 in the calcaneus supporting portion l5.The spring support [9 for the inner longitudinal arch has the elements22 and 23 thereof connected with the calcaneus supporting portion I5 andthe metatarsal supporting portion M by means of rivets 30 and 3|,respectively. The

23b in elements 22 and 23 and through slot 28 in the calcaneussupporting portion [5 respectively.

In order to provide in the support for the outer longitudinal arch. Thesupport bowed upwardly a greater distance than is the support I 8.

It will be observed that in each instance the spring elements actuallybridge both the calcaneus supporting portion #5 and the metatarsalsupporting portion M. There is no free end or cantilever effect of thespring elements permitted. The overlapping of the spring elements uponboth the calcaneus and metatarsal supporting portions is illustratedmore particularly in the cross-sectional views of Figs. 7 and 9.

particularly in Fig. 11. The upper 36 of the shoe I is stitched to theinsole 9 and to the welt 31 by means of stitches 38 in the customarymanner, as shown in Fig. 11. The welt 37 and outersole H) are stitchedin the usual manner by means of stitches 39, as shown in Fig. 11. spacebetween the insole 9 and outersole l0 may be filled in the usual mannerwith cork, felt, or other appropriate material. Layers of a selectedmaterial as felt, rubber, or a material The springs of my arch supportmay also be lubricated to prevent squeak, rusting or othercomplications. When the spring arch Lil ' longitudinal arches toprovided for boththe inner and outer longitudinal arches.

In the manufacture of some shoes with which the spring arch of myinvention is designed to cooperate, I provide a modified shape of lastand insole as shown more particularly in Figs. 19, 20, and 21. Fig. 19shows the contour of the insole in the improved shoe construction of myinvention from which it will be seen that a considerably greater widthis provided at that por' 'tion of the shoe which must support a greaterwidth of the foot at the inner and outer longitudinal arches. Thisincreased width enables the spring supports for both the inner and outerbe rendered more effective in supporting the bones, muscles, and tendonsof the foot. I have illustrated in dotted line the normal contour of thegeneral type of insole heretofore available in the art. Fig. 19 showsmore particularly the contour of the insole of my improved shoe asapplied to a mans shoe.

The last of awomans shoe and width of the insole and outsole at theshank, has, in the past, been even more detrimental for properlysupporting the bones, muscles, and tendons of the foot than has thenormal design of a. mans shoe. Fig. 20 shows the correction which theshoe construction of my invention provides for a womans shoe. The solidoutline illustrates the contour of the insole of the. shoe of myinvention showing the added space provided for the bones, muscles, andtendons of the foot at the shank of the shoe, as compared to the narrowspace provided by the normal insole, as 11- lustrated in dotted lines inFig. 20. The enlarged area provided in the shoe construction of myinvention greatly increases the wearing comfort of the shoe, and yet, byreason of the coaction afforded by the introduction of the arch supportof my invention, a firm, wide support is provided for all of the bones,muscles, and tendons of the foot from heel to ball. Figs. 19

and 20 merely illustrate the modification which is made in the lateraldimension of the last. Fig. 21 shows the manner in which an entirelynovel balance is obtained in a last as applied, for example, in a womansshoe. The contour of the last for a womans shoe as heretofore known inthe art, is illustrated by dotted line 42. With this normal lastcontour, the direction of the body with respect to the arch and heelalong which the weight of the body is applied to the shoe when standingis illustrated by dotted line 43 showing an unbalanced condition. As

distinguished from the dotted line contour, the last of the shoe of myinvention is shaped according to the solid line contour 44 from which itwill be observed that the internal portion of the last immediatelyadjacent the metatarsal bones, and beneath and in rear of the transversearch, is raised along line 44a whereas, the contour of the lastimmediately below the astragalus and the calcaneus is lowered andextended in a r substantially horizontal plane, as illustrated at 44b.The result of the modification is that the body stands in a more uprightbalanced position as indicated by line 45 and is rendered effectivealong axis 51. The angles a and ,8 are all 90 and are formed by the axesshown drawn normal to tangents to the curves forming the contour of thelast. The angle 7 is 90 and is disposed between axis 51 and the baseline 6|. The application of force along axis 51 operates to balance theshoe and greatly increase wearing comfort. The change in the design oflast is brought about by reason of the increased support effected by thearrangement of the spring arch of my invention within the shoe. Thespring arch must be so correlated to the design of last that there is acoaction which affords maximum'wearing comfort. The spring archconstruction is such that the external spring support is shorter thanthe internal spring support according to the natural shape of the foot.

I have heretofore described the arch support as comprising a centralspan having the metatarsal supporting portion and the calcaneussupporting portion integrally connected therewith. I may construct thearch of myinvention in a number of modified forms, certain of which Ihave illustrated in Figs. 12-18. I

Referring to Figs.12-14=, I have shown a sep-, arate plate 46constituting the metatarsal supporting portion and another separateplate 4'! constituting the calcaneus supporting portion. Plate 41 isprovided with apertures 59 for securing the plate in position. Plate 46is provided with apertures 58: for securing the plate in position. Theseplates each have inwardly directed connecting portions 460, and 41a. Astrip. of spring steel 48 interconnects the connecting portions 45a and41a. A multiplicity of rivets indicated at 48a and 48b extend throughopposite ends of strip 48 and securely connect the ends of strip48'Wil7h the inwardly directed connecting portions 45a and 41a. The offcenter span is thereby rendered resilient by reason of the spring steelconstruction of the strip 48 but .at the same time provides a supportof'the required firmness. The arrangement of the rivets 48m and 48b aresuch that relative movement between the plates 46 and 41 and strip 48 isprevented- The construction of the spring support I8 for the outerlongitudinal arch and the spring support 19 for the inner longitudinalarch is identical with the construction described in Figs. 1-11 andwhich is morespecifically described in connection with Figs. -18. Asillustrated inFig. 13, the spring support 19 is vhigher than the springsupport [8. Spring support I9 is also longer than spring support 18.

Where extreme economy in manufacture must prevail, it is not necessaryto employ the central span 48, and I may omit this, as illustrated inthe construction shown in Figs. 15-18. In this arrangement, the springsupports I8 and I9 "serve not only as supports for the longitudinalarches but also as frame members for maintaining the spring arch inrigid assembly. For this reason, the single rivets heretofore providedare omitted and in lieu thereof, a multiplicity of rivets are employedfor securing the spring supports 18 and 19 in position with respect tothe metatarsal supporting plate 55 and the calcaneus supporting plate56, as shown. The spring element is connected with the metatarsalsupporting plate 55 by the assembly of rivets illustrated at 49 at oneend. The other end of'spring element 21) is connected with calcaneussupporting portion 56 by rivet 50 which passes through a slot 5| in calcaneus supporting plate 55. The coacting spring assembly 19 is securedto the metatarsal supporting plate 55 by rivet assembly 52, as shown.

.calcaneus supporting plate I5.

through the slot and rivet connections is provided as hereinbeforedescribed in connection with Figs. 1-11 and 12-14.

The spring members r the inner and outer the calcaneus supportingportion in a variety of ways. I have illustrated examples of differentmethods of connection of the spring members at the rear of the archsupport in Figs. 24, 25, 26 and 27.

In Fig. 24, the rivet 2| is secured through an aperture provided in thecalcaneus supporting plate l5 and extends upwardly and through the slot200 formed in the spring element 20. The spring element 20 is,therefore, adjustable at its rear end within certain limits defined bythe slot 200.

Fig. 25 illustrates a modified method of mounting the rear ends of thetwin spring elements 22 and 23 with respect to the calcaneus supportingplate [5. In this arrangement, rivet 30 is mounted in calcaneussupporting plate [5 and extends is limited by the abutment of theextremities of the slots 22c and 230 with the sides of the rivet 30.

I may also employ the arrangement shown in Fig. 26 wherein twin springelements 62 and 63 are superimposed upon each other and are free toyield longitudinally. The spring element 63 has the end thereofoverlapping the calcaneus end of strip 63 and extends through slot 28 inStrip 63 carries rivet 65 therein. Rivet 64 projects through a slot 62ain resilient strip 62. Movement of strip 62 with respect to strip 63 islimited by abutment of the slotted portions 82a with rivet 64.

I may reverse the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 26 and employ theassembly shown in Fig. 2'7 wherein rivet 39 is secured in calcaneussupporting plate l5 and passes through slot 63a in spring element 63.Spring element 62 which is superimposed upon spring element 63 isslotted at 62a to allow passage of rivet 6 3. The slotted portion 62a ofstrip 62 allows limited yielding movement of strip 62 with respect tostrip 63 within the limits of the abutment of the ends of the slottedportion of strip 82 with rivet 64. In all instances, Ihave shown thestrip members separated and the head of the rivet exaggerated in sizefor the purpose of more clearly illustrating the invention, but it willbe understood that in actual assembly the coacting parts are positionedin close coacting arrangements.

In the design of the spring arch of my invention, I have found that itis necessary to provide spring elements of various sizes, heights,weights, and resiliency for supporting people of diiferent weights andalso for supporting the various heights of arches and muscles of feetwhich require a more or less firm resilient support. With this in view,I wish it clearly understood that springs of diiferent tensions and slotlengths may be employed in the arch construction of my invention andsprings of modified shapes and sizes without departing from the spiritof my invention. The arch support of my invention is of extraordinaryvalue to children, especially in shoes having the wider shank and weltprocess construction. During the growing years from early childhood andwhile the foot is developing through the ossification period, my archsupport will provide a firm, yet resilient support to the 5 completefoot, from heel to ball, particularly under the inner longitudinal arch,thereby not only preport of my invention may be used in shoes ofstandard last or in shoes of the improved last of my design.

7 While I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments,I desire that it be underappended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is as follows: 1. An arch support for shoes comprising a rigident spring supports for the inner and outer longitudinal arches carriedby said metatarsal and calcan-eus supporting portions, and means wherebysaid spring supports are independently yieldable.

2. An arch support for shoes comprising a metallic stamping having ametatarsal supporting 3. An arch support comprising a metatarsal acalcaneus supporting lengths thereof.

4. An arch support comprising a metatarsal foot, the other of saidspring members being constituted by a single resilient stripinterconnecting said metatarsal supporting portion'and said calcaneussupporting portion and adapted to move in alignment with the outerlongitudinal arch of applied over the entire lengths thereof.

5. An arch support comprising a metatarsal supporting portion and acalcaneus supporting a spring member interconnecting said supportingportions and constituting an outer longitudinal arch support, a separatespring memberiinterco-nnecting said supporting portions and constitutingan innerlongitudinal arch support, one of said spring members beingspaced from the center line of said supporting portions a greaterdistance than the other of said spring members, and means whereby saidspring mem bers are independently yieldable under pressures applied overthe entire lengths thereof.

6. An arch support comprising a metatarsal supporting portion, acalcaneus supporting portion, and separate spring membersinterconnecting said supporting portions, one of said spring membersbeing disposed to move in alignment with the inner longitudinual arch ofthe foot and the. other of said spring members being disposed to move inalignment with the outer longitudinal arch of the foot, said firstmentioned spring member being spaced a greater distance from the centerline of said supporting portions than is said last mentioned springmember.

'7. An arch support comprising a metatarsal supporting portion and acalcaneus supporting portion, separate spring members interconnectingsaid supporting portions, one of said spring members having a greaterdegree of resiliency than the other of said spring members, and meanswhereby said spring members are independently yieldable under pressuresapplied over the entire lengths thereof.

8. An arch support comprising a metatarsal supporting portion and acalcaneus supporting portion, separate spring members interconnectingsaid supporting portions, one of said spring members being disposed tomove in alignment with the outer longitudinal arch of the foot and. theother of said spring members being disposed to move in alignment withthe inner longitudinal arch of the foot, said last mentioned springmember being normally elevated in a plane higher than the plane of saidfirst mentioned spring member, and means whereby said spring members areindependently yieldable under pressures applied over the entire lengthsthereof.

9. An arch support comprising a metatarsal supporting portion, acalcaneus supporting 'portion and supports for the inner and outer longitudinal arches of the foot extending between said supporting portions,said supports each including a resilient strip member rigidly secured tothe metatarsal supporting portion, and means whereby said supports areindependently slidable with respect to said calcaneus supporting portionin varying amounts for flexibly suspending the inner and outerlongitudinal arches of the foot.

10. An arch support comprising a metatarsal supporting portion, acalcaneus supporting portion, and separate resilient members extendingbetween said supporting portions on opposite sides of the center linethereof, at least one of said resilient members being constituted by apair of fiat resilient strips slidable in confined relation one upon theother, and means whereby each of said resilient members is independentlyyieldable under pressures applied over thereof. 7

11. An arch support comprising a metatarsal supporting portion, acalcaneus supporting portion, and separate resilient membersinterconnecting said supporting portions on opposite sides of the centerthereof, at least one of said resilient members being constituted bycoacting strips and having a rivet and slot connection with saidcalently yieldable to support the entire lengths caneus supportingportion, the other of said resilient members likewise having a rivet andslot connection with said calcaneus supporting portion, said rivet andslot connections allowing restricted sliding movement between saidresilient members and said calcaneus supporting portion, said resilientmembers thereby being independthe inner and outer longitudinal arches ofthe foot. V

12. In a shoe, an insole having an enlarged shank, an arch supportextending longitudinally of said shank and having laterally extendingprojections at each end thereof, and separate spring members bridgingthe opposite extremities of the laterally extending projections of saidarch support and disposed to move in alignment with the inner and outerlongitudinal arches of the foot, said spring members being independentlyyieldable.

13. In a shoe, an insole having an enlarged shank, an arch supportextending longitudinally of said shank and having laterally extendingprojections at each end thereof, longitudinal recesses in the undersurface of said insole at the shank portion of the shoe, and springmembers disposed in said recesses and interconnecting the extremities ofthe laterally extending projections on said arch support, said springmembers adapted to be aligned with the inner and outer longitudinalarches of the foot and being independently yieldable under pressuresapplied over the entire lengths of the said spring members.

14. A balanced shoe in which the axis of support normal to the calcaneusof the shoe is substantially vertical and in which the internaltransverse arch portion of the shoe is substantially elevated, includingan arch support having a spring member disposed to move in alignmentwith the inner longitudinal arch and a separate spring member disposedto move in alignment with the outer longitudinal arch, said firstmentioned spring member being bowed in the direction of the foot agreater distance than is said second mentioned spring member, and meanswhereby said spring members are independently yieldable in operationunder, pressures applied over the entire lengths thereof.

15. An arch support comprising a substantially rigid metallic memberhaving a longitudinally extending span with enlarged ends thereon, astrengthening rib disposed in said span, spring members interconnectingthe enlarged ends of said metallic member disposed on either side ofsaid span, at least one of said'spring members including a pair ofresilient strips secured at one end to said rigid member and slidablyconnected with said rigid member at the other end, the other of saidspring members likewise secured to said rigid member at one end andslidably connected with said rigid member at the other end, saidslidable connections permitting said spring members to yieldindependently under pressures applied over the entire lengths thereof,the limit of yieldability of said resilient strips being predetermined.

16. In combination with an arch support comprising a metatarsalsupporting portion, a calcaneus supporting portion, and separateresilient members extending between said supporting portions on oppositesides of the center line thereof, independent means encasing saidresilient members.

JAMES E. LUDLAM.

supporting portion Y

